Rachel & Sam on adventure, curiosity, and creativity.

Holiday Partay

Last weekend we had one of the best holiday parties the world has ever seen. Honesty, it was right up there with Mary, Joseph, the wise men and baby Jesus camping out and having a few brews in that stable. I can’t decide whether my favorite part of the party was blowing out the candles to my (surprise) birthday cake, finishing our 1,000-piece Christmas puzzle (which has been in-progress since Halloween,) or rocking out to Wii Just Dance.

Allegedly did not plan their outfits to match.

Sam and Kalina can take all the credit for making our holiday party happen. They did all the cooking and inviting and preparing. All I did was show up at my own house (where it was taking place.) But I’d like to reveal their secrets, so that you, too, may reap the benefits of partying in the name of the holiday season.

So here it is, The Christmas List: Your Guide to a Nice, yet Naughty Christmas Party.

1. Food: Sam and Kalina got it right with the food. Lot’s of snacks, a few main dishes and plenty of dessert. Everyone pitched in $5 to help cover the grocery bill and there was more than enough food to go around.

Jon cuts the ham. Gunther observes.

2. Drinks: This was a BYOB event, which, honestly, makes everything simpler. As a bonus, though, our front porch was freezing cold that night, which made it a perfect walk-in fridge.

3. People: We had just the right size crowd that night. There were enough people that you could mingle and move between groups, but it wasn’t so crowded that you had to shout to the person standing next to you or fight your way to the bathroom.

4. Activities: The key to a good party activity are that it is low-commitment and fun in groups. The 1,000 piece puzzle was (surprisingly) a hit, because people worked on it in shifts. The closer we got to being done the more exciting it became.

Our other activity was Wii Just Dance, which will always hold a special place in my heart. Wii Just Dance is cool because you get to jump around and act crazy, but you think you look really cool, because the dancers on the screen look cool. No surprise–it’s also hilarious to watch.

Sam and Kalina, thank you so much for planning such a fun night. And here’s to many more Christmas parties!